British-Bangladeshibirder,environmentalistandactivistMya-RoseCraigisaninternationalforce.Inhermovingmemoir,Birdgirl,shechronicleshermother’sstrugglewithmentalillness,andsharesherpassionforsocialjusticeandfiercededicationtopreservingourplanet.MeetMya-Rose-otherwiseknownas“Birdgirl.“Inherwords:“Birdwatchinghasneverfeltlikeahobby,orapastimeIcanpickupandputdown,butathreadrunningthroughthepatternofmylife,sotightlywoveninthatthere’snowayofpullingitfreeandleavingtherestofmylifeintact.“BirdgirlfollowsMya-Roseandherfamilyastheytraveltheworldinsearchofrarebirdsandastonishinglandscapes.Butashadowmoveswiththem,too--hermother’sdeepeningmentalhealthcrisis.Inthefaceofthisstruggle,theCraigsturntonatureagainandagainforcomfortandmeaning.Eachbirdtheyseebringsamomentofjoyandreflection,instillinginMya-Roseadeeploveofthenaturalworld.ButMya-Rosehasalsoseenfirst-handtherecklessdestructionweareinflictingonourfragileplanet,aswellasthepervasiveracisminfectingeverycorneroftheworld,leadinghertocampaignforBlack,Indigenous,peopleofcolor.Joiningthefightoftoday’syoungenvironmentalactivists,Mya-Rosesharesherexperiencestoadvocateforthesimple,profoundgiftofnature,andformakingitaccessibletoall,callingherreaderstorediscoverthepowerofournaturalworld.Birder,activist,daughter:thisisherstory.
